Public Statements

Statement by Congressman Elton Gallegly on the Death Of Terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi

WASHINGTON, DC"The death of terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was one of two blows to international terrorism to come out of Iraq today.

"Al-Zarqawi, the so-called Prince of al Qaeda in Iraq,' was a ruthless murderer responsible for numerous car bombs, kidnappings and beheadings in Iraq. His death in an overnight U.S. air strike is a blow to international terrorism and a boost to Iraq's government and the War on Terror.

"Our U.S. military, the Iraqi government and the Iraqi civilians who risked their lives to provide intelligence on al-Zarqawi proved the power of coalitions to battle terrorism. The war does not end with al-Zarqawi's demise. There are many al-Zarqawi's who still need to be brought to justice. But it does show terrorists they cannot hide from justice or the people and governments on whom they have declared war.

"Just minutes after al-Zarqawi's death was announced, the Iraqi parliament approved Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's picks to fill the final government posts of interior minister, defense minister and national security adviser. Democracy, the antithesis of terrorism, is on the march in the Middle East. We must not lose sight that the road to victory is still long and perilous. But we can still savor our victories over our enemies today."

(Elton Gallegly is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats.)